Ramadanoff conducts new ensemble

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David Ramadanoff, shown conducting the Vallejo Symphony in his last concert as the group’s conductor and music director, will be appearing with the California Sound Collective on Sunday, Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m. at the Community Congregational Church in Benicia. – MIKE JORY — VALLEJO TIMES-HERALD

After his exit conducting the Vallejo Symphony for 18 years, David Ramadanoff is back with the baton in the new California Sound Collective.

The ensemble makes its local debut with a free concert Sunday, Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m. at the Community Congregational Church in Benicia.

“It’s being formed by a number of wonderful Bay Area musicians from the Vallejo Symphony, Oakland East Bay Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony and others, and they’ve asked me to be their conductor,” Ramadanoff said, calling the new group “unique in two ways.”

“It is completely run by the musicians (with me as one of them on the artistic committee),” he said. Also, “it will be offering a very wide range of musical styles, and sizes of ensemble, ranging anywhere from two players to full orchestra, and playing a large mixture of classical and non-classical music.”

Ramadanoff ended his 31-year tenure with the VSO last April, performing his final concert at Touro University. He was dismissed by the VSO board, which chose to change directions. The VSO has narrowed applicants to three, with each conducting one concert each this season. The “winner” will be named as Ramadanoff’s “permanent” replacement.

Though the Cleveland native declined to discuss the VSO board’s decision, he is looking forward to the California Sound Collective.

“We’re very excited about this, and we wanted the concert to be free to get started,” he said. “Once that has happened, we’ll build on this, with plans to expand our concerts.”

Though Ramadanoff is through as the symphony’s longest-tenured conductor, he said after his final VSO concert that he won’t be a stranger.

“I like the community very much and the people in it and I appreciate those who have been supportive,” Ramadanoff said. “I’ll come back and visit. I have friends here.”

The Community Congregational Church is at 1305 West Second Street in Benicia. For more information, call (707) 644-3421.